Pentax K1000 special edition

I recently came across a Pentax K1000.
-This had a self timer.
-The body is full metal.
-It does not have ASAHI engraved on top.
-It has the standard 50 2.0 lens attached to it.

However, what was different from the normal Pentax K1000 SE was the
fact that instead of the words "SE" which appear on the top right side
of a K1000, it had the words "Special edition" printed on it.
I tried to look up this fact on http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ but it
only says that K1000 SE has only the words "SE" printed in the front.
I am confused regarding this "special edition" symbol on this Pentax.
Were K1000 SEs ever created by Pentax with the words "Special edition"
on the right side.
I was planning to get hold of a Pentax k1000 but am worried as to
whether this piece is a genuine one or not.

Is this camera a genuine one or not?

Any help would be highly appreciated
Thanks
Yeshue

 

What do the pictures look like? If they are sharp and snappy it's a
Pentax...
Denny

 

1. There is no K-1000 with a built-in self timer.

2. The Special Edition says SE on it.
It has red leatherette and split-image focusing
along with the standard microprism/ground glass.

3. If it does not say ASAHI on top (AOC logo as well = Asaha Optical Co.)
then the top is from a later China-built (Cosina) model.

What you describe sounds like a frankenstein repair.
I wouldn't be surprised if it were a KM which had the top replaced.
(That built-in self timer is the only difference.)
The mechanism is the same one and the reliability would be as good.
Plus, you get a self timer.

My personal guess is that a KM meter went out and
someone swapped tops to fix the problem.
It would be a practical solution.

Collin

 

I've never heard od an all-metal K1000 without the "Asahi" on it. Or a
K1000 with a self timer. The KM was pretty much identical to the K1000
except for the self timer. perhaps this is a home-made hybrid?

 

The KM has self-timer and DOF preview;
the K1000 has neither.
All KM bodies were made in Japan.
IMO the KM is the more desirable model.

Perhaps you saw a KM whose damaged top cover
had been replaced with one from a K1000SE.

Excelsior, you fatheads!
-Chris-

 

<Were K1000 SEs ever created by Pentax with the words "Special edition" on the
right side.>

If memory serves, the "SE" designation only meant a split image focus aid in
the finder. The non-SE had a microprism. I do not believe "SE" has anything to
do with a special edition.
- --

regards,
Henry Posner/B&H Photo-Video
http://www.bhphotovideo.com

 

The Pentax K1000 SE was a K1000 with brown leatherette and a diagonal split
screen. The camera was supposed to be sold only to specialty camera stores
giving them a price edge in competing with the big discounters and big box
stores. It was a good idea, on paper.